Al Roker Says Granddaughter ‘Kept Me Going’ Amid Health Struggles
By Movieguide® Contributor
Al Roker, long-time host and TODAY SHOW personality, loves being a grandpa and credited his new granddaughter for keeping him motivated amid his ongoing health struggles.
“I’m doing great, doing great. I tell you, the thing that’s kept me going is I’ve had a new granddaughter… If I had known they were this much fun, I would’ve had them first. It’s the best,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
Roker has been open about his recent health struggles over the past few years.
PEOPLE shared that “In November 2020, Roker revealed his prostate cancer diagnosis and has since used his platform to encourage people to get tested.”
In 2022, he was hospitalized twice for blood clots in his legs and lungs, causing him to miss hosting the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade after 27 consecutive years.
Most recently, in May 2023, Roker underwent a knee replacement that had several complications. He told TODAY, “This one has been the toughest one yet because they had to take out the old one, which had some complications, and then put in a new one.”
Shortly after his knee surgery, Roker welcomed his first grandchild, Sky Clara Laga, on July 3, born to his daughter Courtney Roker and her husband Wesley Laga.
“The thing is, everyone tells you it’s going to be ‘this thing’ and you don’t know; it’s like when they tell you about having your first child. And then to hold this little girl, knowing almost 35 years ago I held her mom? And here she is, 5 lbs., 15 oz. 19 inches long and she’s just perfect,” he said after his granddaughter’s birth.
Last week, the weatherman took to Instagram to share a sweet photo of Sky and talked about her first time staying the night at her grandpa’s house.
“The perfect weekend. Thanks to @ouichefroker and @thatteacherwhodjs for letting me babysit my little Sky Clara over the weekend. I forgot how hard a 3+ month old is on your own. 24 hours without a shower. Whew,” Roker posted.
Roker is currently doing well, and he will return to host the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade this year.
Movieguide® previously reported on Roker:
In a recent interview, Today anchor Al Roker shared the best advice he’s ever gotten and what he does the stay grounded in his faith.
During the interview with Guideposts, Roker explained that he received great advice from Willard Scott, the Today weatherman that Roker took over for when he joined the show. “Always be yourself,” Scott told Roker. “People can do whatever they want, but they can’t take that from you. Everybody wants to be somebody else; just be you.”
Along with his family and his career, Roker puts a lot of value on his faith. During the interview he shared that he journals everyday as a way to keep himself grounded and express gratitude every day. He also likes to escape to his house in upstate New York whenever he can get out on the lake and just sit and have peace away from all the hustle and bustle of New York City.
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